Elevator



W. E. CHENEY ELEVATOR May 16, 1950 Filed Nov. 17, 1947 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. E. CHENEY May 16, 1950 ELEVATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 17, 1947 A r roe/var Patented May 16, 1950 was? UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates to elevators, and more particularly to elevators of the type in which a car runs along inclined rail means for at least part of its travel, and the principal object of my invention is the improvement of apparatus of these types.

A more specific object of my invention is the provision of an elevator which is adapted for use with stairs in general, and more particularly, Which may be utilized with stairs comprising one or more flights and wherein the rail means is both inclined and parallel with the horizontal.

Other objects will appear hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds.

In certain respect, the present invention provides improvements to the construction shown in Patent 2,212,338, granted to me August 20, 1940.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure l is a broken fragmentary elevational view, showing an elevator embodying my invention, with the car on a horizontal portion of the track means,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the car on an inclined portion of the track means,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional View corresponding generally to the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a carriage used in the embodiment of the invention herein shown,

Figure 5 is another perspective view of the carriage. viewed from a diiferent position,

a .re 6 is a fragmentary plan View of the carriage,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary end view of the carriage, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to the line 88 of Figure 6.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the elevator herein disclosed comprises a car hi movable along tract: means H. The car It is herein shown as comprising a chair, having a seat I2 and a back it, and arm rests or the like (not shown) if desired. However, it is to be understood that the term car as used herein is intended to cover any other suitable conveyance.

The rail means ii is herein disclosed as com prising two parts Hiand i5, each of which may he formed of one or more sections. As here shown, the rail part is comprises a horizontal portion its, which may have an I-beam crosssection, an inclined portion lib which ma have an inverted T-cross-section, and a lower combined inclined and horizontal portion Me which may have an I-beam cross-section.

The upper part i5, as here shown, comprises a horizontal portion 15a which may be of T section and with the extremity of its stem welded to the upper flange oi the portion I la, an inclined portion i512 which may he merely a flange welded to.the extremity of the stern of the portion Mb, and a lower horizontal portion I50 which may be of T section and welded to the upper flange of the portion Mic. The upper flanges of the portions Ma and E ic stop short of contact with the portion l5b, to form passages It for apurpose which will appear later.

It will be understood that the track means I! may be formed in any other suitable manner, with attention given to the spacing of the flanges of the portions lfia, liib and l5c with respect to the adjacent por ions I ia, 1b and Me.

A rack ii is suitably secured to th lower flange of the part 14, and closely follows the longitudinal formation of this flange.

The car it as herein disclosed, comprises a housing l8, having an enlarged portion 59 supporting the seat 42 and back l3, and a depending restricted portion 2!! terminating in a gear box 2!.

Suitable power providing means, such as an electric motor (see Figure 1), may be contained within the enlarged portion is of the housing IS. The shaft of the motor 22 may carry a pinion 23 which meshes with a gear is carried at the upper end of a shaft 25. The shaft 25 may be journalled in suitable bearings (not shown) carried by the restricted portion of the housing 18.

The lower end of the shaft 25 may carry a worm 26 which meshes with a worm gear 21, the latter driving a shaft 23 which carries a pinion 29. The pinion i9 is adapted to mesh with the rack I7, and to move the car along the track means H, in either direction, in accordance with the direction of rotation of the motor shaft,

Operation and control of the elevator may be effected in any suitable manner and by any suit able means. As an example, reference is made to my aforementioned patent, wherein a control system is described which may also be used in this case.

A carriage 35 serves as a means of connection between the housing l8 and the rail means H, and as herein shown, the carriage 35 comprises spaced angles 36 and 3'! connected together by means of a transversely extending channel 33 which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to respective angles.

Spaced from respective angles 35, 37 are plates 39 and it, the plate 39 being held in spaced relation by means of end pieces ll, and the plate ll being held in spaced relation by means of an end piece i2 and an intermediate piece 33. The

end pieces 4| and 42 and the intermediate piece 43 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to respective angles 36, 31, and the end pieces are formed with recesses 44 to insure free passage of the rail means I I, as will later appear.

Extending transversely between the angles 35, 3'! is a shaft 45 (see Figure 8), which has its ends extending through apertures in facing legs of the angles. A sleeve 45 and a roller 41 are rotatively mounted on the shaft 45 in the space between facing legs of the angles 36, 31, the sleeve 46 occupying a greater portion of this space. The roller 41 is preferably journalled by means of a ball-bearing race, as shown, .to reduce friction losses. Welded, or otherwise suitably secured to the sleeve 46, is a connecting plate 48 which is adapted to be bolted to the housing I8, to connect the housing and the carriage 35. The plate 48 is formed with a cut-out 49 to provide clearance for the roller 41'.

Extending transversely with respect to the shaft 45, and through apertures in the other legs of the angles 35, 3! and the corresponding plates 39, 40, are shafts 55, 56. The upper ends of the shafts 55, 55, as viewed in Figures 1 through and 8, are secured to respective extremities of the shaft 45, as by means of bolts 51.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the carriage 35 may swing about the axis of the shaft 45, and relative to the sleeve 46 and connecting plate 58, and this is clearly indicated in Figures 1 and 2.

Journalled on the shaft 55, within the space between the angle 36 and the plate 39, is a roller 58 which comprises a hub portion 59 enclosing a thrust bearing 69, and spaced-apart annular enlargements 6| defining therebetween a tapered groove 62. Journalled on the shaft 56, as by means of needle bearings 63, within the space between the angle 31 and the plate 40, is a roller 54 which comprises a hub 55 and a single annular enlargement 56.

Spaced from the shaft 55 is a shaft III which extends through apertures in the leg 38 and the plate 39. A cotter key I! extends through aperture in the shaft 10, and the legs of the key II also extend through an aperture in the leg of the angle 35 before being spread, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7, so as to hold the shaft in proper position and against rotation.

Journalled on the shaft I0, within the space F between the angle 35 and plate 39, is a roller I2, comprising a hub I3 and spaced-apart annular enlargements I I, defining therebetween a tapered groove I5. In some cases, as illustrated best in Figures 1 and 2, it is preferable to construct the rollers 58 and I2 so that the groove I5 is somewhat wider than the groove 52, although this is not essential.

Extending through elongated apertures I6 formed in the angle 31 and plate 49 is a shaft 71, and journallecl on this shaft, between the angle 31 and the plate 40 is a cylindrical roller I8. The extremities of the shaft I1 extend beyond opposed outer surfaces of the angle 31 and plate 40, and each extremity is apertured to receive one end of a spring rod '19. The opposite ends of the spring rods I9 are anchored, by means of a set of screws 80, in respective lugs 8| carried by the angle 31 and the plate 40.

The rollers 58 and 54 are in opposed relation, as are the rollers 12 and I8, the construction being such that the extremities of the flange of the portions I5a and I50, and the flange I5b, are adapted to be received between opposed rollers, as best seen in Figures 3, 6, 7, and 8. The

function of the spring rods I9 is to constantly urge the roller I8 toward the roller I2, so that the extremities of the flanges of portions I5a, I51), and I50, are normally engaged by rollers 12 and T8. The rollers 58 and 54 may be so constructed and positioned that a slight space may exist between these rollers and the flanges, although this is not essential to the invention.

In operation, as the car I5 is driven along the track means II through coaction of the driven gear 29 with the rack II, the aforementioned rollers coact with the flanges of the portions I501, 552), and I 50 to maintain the housing I8 erect, regardless of whether the car is travelling along a horizontal portion of the track means or an inclined portion of this track means. This is accomplished by properly spacing the flanges of portions I5a, I5b, and I50 with respect to the rack I7, and properly positioning the drive gear 29 with respect to the carriage 35. The passages IS in the track means permit the carriage 35 to freely move along the entire track means.

In use, a person P normally sits on the seat I2, and at least a greater part of the weight is distributed about the center-line CL of the car I0. Through use of my invention, however, it is not important that the person be so seated that his weight is distributed evenly about the centerline CL, as will appear.

With a person seated on the car II, a certain amount of the weight is taken by the drive connection between the gear 29 and the rack I'I. When on the horizontal, the weight pressure absorbed by the carriage 35 is principally carried through interengagement of the rollers 54 and I2 with the horizontal portions of the flanges of the track part I5. If power is applied to the gear 29, the roller 41 maintains the car I!) erect if moved to the right, as viewed in Figure 1. If the car It is moved to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, interengagement of the annular enlargements on the rollers 58 and 64 with the horizontal portions of the flanges of the track part I5 maintains the car I0 erect.

On an incline, such as is the case in Figure 2, the pressure caused by the weight of a person is again carried in certain amount by the gear 29 and rack II. In this case, however, the pressure on the carriage 35 is carried by interengagement of roller 4'! and the annular enlargements on rollers 64 and T2 with the flange I5b. In some cases, an annnular enlargement on roller 58 engages with flange I 51), and assists in carrying the load.

In going over a bend, such as the bends between horizontal and incline, roller I2, being some distance from the pivot shaft 45, causes the carriage 35 to pivot, as seen in Figure 2, so that the carriage follows the track without binding.

When going over a curve, such as the top bend, as viewed in. Figure 1, roller 58, because of action of its thrust bearing, assists in causing the carriage 35 to follow the track. At the bottom bend, roller 4'! assumes a considerable amount of the weight, so that the carriage 35 may freely follow the curve in the track.

The spring rods I9 provide limited spring motion to the shaft 11, so that the roller 78 mounted on this shaft urges tight connection between it, roller I2, and the corresponding extremities of the flange of track part I5. This compensates, to some extent, for differences in rail widths. When going over a curve, roller 18 will yield, thus permitting the adjacent portion of the flange part I 5 to be at a small angle to the groove in roller '12.. When going around horizontal bends, especially short radius bends, the roller yields sufiiciently to allow for the increase in dis- .tance from one .side of the track to the other side.

The grooves in the rollers 56 and '72 are tapered out to assure contact with the trail flange as near to the bottom of the groove as possible, thus avoiding excessive wear between the flange and the rollers. As the frail flange wears, the roller 18,-bein'g on a spring mounted shaft, maintains the adjoining part of the carriage 3.5 with a good'fit on the rail flange.

Inasmuch as the distance between the center lines of rollers '58 and '52 has purposely been held to a small amount, the car it) may be freely moved along a track means l l, regardless of whether or not such track means has horizontal or vertical bends, or a combination of'both.

From the foregoing, it willbe apparentto-those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention, and it also will be apparent :to those skilledin the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and hasadvantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my :invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An elevator, comprising: a car; track means, over which said car is adapted to travel, said track means having portions at an angle with respect to each other; and carriage means, connecting said car with said track means, and including a pivot joint providing for movement of said car along track portions of difierent angularity, said carriage means comprising roller means spaced from said pivot joint and engage able with-said track means.

2. An elevator, comprising: car; track means, over which said car is adapted to travel, .said track means having portions at an angle with respect to each other; and carriage means, connecting said car with said track means, and including apivot joint providing for movement of said car along track portions of different angularity, said carriage means comprising roller means positioned substantially adjacent to said pivotjoint and 'engageable with said-track means, and roller means spaced from said pivot joint and 'engageable with said track means.

An elevator,-comprising: a car; along which said car isadapted to travel, and having opposed and side surfaces; and carriage means, connecting said car with said track means, and comprising a plurality of rollers,cervtain of said rollers being adapted toengage both of said opposed surfaces, certain of said rollers being adapted to engage only one .of said opposed surfaces, and certain of said rollers being adapted to engage a side-surface, said last named of said rollers being resiliently urged toward engagernent with said side surface.

4. An elevator, comprising: a car; track means, along which said car is adapted to travel, and having longitudinal portions at an angle to each other, said track means including flange means having opposed surfaces ateach side and a side surface at each side; and carriage means, con- :necting said car with said track means, and. including a pivot joint and three rollers adjacent to said pivot joint, one of said three rollers being rack means, I

beingzadapted to engageonly a side surface of,

said track means at a sideopposite the side engaged by said :first named pair of rollers, said last named of said .pair :of rollers being spring mounted to urge said-pair of rollers into engagement with said track means.

:5. An elevator, comprising: -:a car; track means, comprising an upwardly angled portion; carriage means adapted to travel along said track means; a pivot connection between said ear and said carriage means whereby said car and said car riage means may assume different angular relations during travel of said carriage meansalong said track means; and means for effecting relative shifting of said car and said carriage means in accordance with the angularity of said track means.

An elevator,oornprising: acar; track means of non-planar format-ion throughout its longitudinal extent; carriage means "adapted to travel along said track means; means connectingsaid ,car tosaid-carriage means, so constructed and arranged that saidcar; and said-carriage means may be shifted tovarious angular relative positions; roller means engageable with said track means ,Qforholding said carriage means to movement along said track means; and other roller means .engageable with said trackmeans to efiect relative shifting of said car and .said carriage means in accordance with the configuration of said track means.

7. An elevator for use with stairs and the like, comprising: track means extending longitudinallyiof and following the course of the stairs; za car adapted to carry a load, such as a person; carriage ,means .movable along and adapted to follow the course of said track means; means aoonnecting said car to said carriage means and providing relative tilting movement 'therebestween; roller means engageable with said track means for :holding said car in generally upright position in all movements of along said track; and roller means engageable with said track means for causing tilting action between said carand said carriage means in'accordance with the course of said track means whereby said carriage means may follow the course of said "track means while said car is in generally upright relation.

8. An elevatorfor use-with stairs and the like, comprising: track means comprising a gear rack generally .followingthe course of the stairs and flange means heldin spaced relation with respect to said gear rack and also generally following the course of the stairs; a car adapted to carry a load, such as a person, having a motor driven-gear wheel meshing with said gear rack, said gear Wheel being generallyv in alignment with the load carrying portion of car and adapted to ,carry at least. some of the. load carriage means movable along .and adapted to rollow the course of said flange means; means connecting said car and said carriage means and providing relative tilting movement therebetween; first roller means carried by said carriage means in position off-set with respect to alignment with the load carrying portion of said car, said first roller means being engageable with the upper surface of said flange means and being adapted to carry at least some of the load; second roller means engageable with opposite side margins of said flange means to prevent tiltin of said car laterally of said track means; and third roller means engageable with said flange means for causing tilting action between said car and said carriage means in accordance with the course of said flange means, whereby said carriage means may follow the course of said flange means while said car is in generally upright relation.

9. An elevator for use with stairs and the like having inclined and horizontal portions, comprising: track means comprising a gear rack generally following the course of the stairs and flange means held in spaced relation with and generally overlying said gear rack and also generally following the course of the stairs; a car adapted to carry a load, such as a person, having a motor driven gear wheel meshing with said gear rack, said gear wheel being generally in alignment with the load carrying portion of said car and adapted to carry at least some of the load; carriage means movable along and adapted to follow the course of said flange means; a pivot connection between said carriage means and said car, providing for relative tilting of said car and said carriage means; first roller means co-axial with said pivot connection and engageable with the upper surface of said flange means and being disposed offset with respect to alignment with said gear wheel and adapted to cooperate therewith to carry at least some of the load and to maintain said car in generally upright relation in all positions of said car along said track means; second roller means carried by said carriage adjacent to said pivot connection and having flanges engageable with upper and lower surfaces of said flange means and adapted to hold said first roller means generally in engagement with the upper surface of said flange means; and third roller means carried by said carriage means in position spaced from said second roller means and having flanges engageable with upper and lower surfaces of said flange means whereby said carriage means is tilted in accordance with the course of said flange means, thus permitting said car to remain in generally upright relation.

10. In an elevator for use with stairs which include a curved portion: flange means providing a track following the course of the stairs; carriage means movable along said track; a pair of first roller means, at least one having flanges engaging upper and lower surfaces of said flange means and each of said roller means being engageable with a respective one of the opposite marginal surfaces of said flange means whereby said carriage is held to movement along said track; a pair of second roller means spaced from said first roller means and forming a pilot for guiding said carriage in accordance with the configuration of said track, each of said second roller means being engageable with opposite side marginal surfaces of said flange means, and at least one of said second roller means being resiliently urged toward the other roller means so that said second roller means may be yieldably spread apart when said carriage means passes along a curved portion of said track and thus prevent binding of said carriage means on said track.

11. In an elevator including a car for use with stairs which are horizontal, inclined and curved, said car being adapted to be held in generally upright relation: flange means providing a track following the course of the stairs; carriage means movable along said track and having pivoted connection with said car so that said carriage means may tilt with respect to said upright car; a pair of first roller means, at least one having flanges engaging upper and lower surfaces of said flange means and each of said roller means being engageable with a respective one of the opposite side marginal surfaces of said flange means, whereby said carriage is held to movement along said track; a pair of second roller means spaced from said first roller means and forming a pilot for guiding said carriage in accordance with the configuration of said track, at least one of said second roller means having flanges engaging upper and lower surfaces of said flange means to cause pivotal movement of said carriage means with respect to said car when said carriage means passes along horizontal and inclined portions of said track, each of said second roller means being engageable with a respective one of the opposite marginal surfaces of said flange means, and at least one of said second roller means being resiliently urged toward the other roller means so that said second roller means may be yieldably spread apart when said carriage means passes along a curved portion of said track and thus prevents binding of said carriage means on said track.

12. An elevator for stairs and the like, comprising: flange means providing a track extending longitudinally of and following the course of the stairs; carriage means movable along said track and com-prising first means engageable with said flange means at opposite side margins for holding said carriage means to movement along said track, and comprising also second means spaced from said first means and engageable with said flange means at opposite side margins and providing a pilot for said carriage means whereby said carriage means is caused to follow the configuration of said track means.

13. An elevator for stairs and the like, comprising: flange means providing a track extending longitudinally of and following the course of the stairs; carriage means movable along said track and comprising first means engageable with said flange means at opposite side margins for REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,838,204 Wood Dec. 29, 1931 2,212,388 Cheney Aug. 20, 1940 

